Lesley Howard

I am Lesley Howard (they/them), an Artist & Facilitator based in Scotland, with over four years of professional experience in the Scottish Arts Sector. My work focuses on the Young Audience Sector, Sensory Performance, Dance, and Disability Arts. I have collaborated with companies such as Barrowland Ballet, Second Hand Dance, Starcatchers, and Scottish Dance Theatre. I also have experience as a Youth Arts Co-ordinator for Clifftop Projects, and working as an Access Consultant on numerous projects. As one half of ‘Just Us’, I recently premiered our first major production, A Home for Hamish—an immersive, playful, and colourful dance theatre experience for children under 7, which is currently on tour. Additionally, I have experience touring both nationally & internationally and most recently, I led a workshop in Seoul, Korea, on creating work for young Disabled children.

In my creative practice, I prioritise four core values: Playfulness, Accessibility, Curiosity, and Joy. These values stem from my interest in exploring boundaries and recognising the uniqueness of each individual. I believe that everyone’s lived experience contributes to a beautiful and diverse movement language. I’m also interested in reconnecting with our roots—embracing that playful, animalistic state of being, which is deeply tied to non-verbal communication. I enjoy using games in my work, as they help bring out the inner child, fostering joy.
Collaboration is key to my approach. I strive to build meaningful connections, working together to break down power dynamics. It’s important to me that the work is participant-led and person-centred. I often see myself as a facilitator rather than a choreographer, allowing those I work with to have autonomy over their creative process, within a framework of safety and connection.

As an Autistic person, I often view & experience the world from a different perspective. I’m a strong advocate for non-verbal communication and deeply value the importance of creating space for those who engage with the world differently. Access is at the heart of my practice. In 2023, I co-led a research project, supported by the Rosina Bonsu Bursary exploring how to make arts spaces more accessible for those with invisible disabilities, particularly Autistic and Deaf individuals. I interviewed other Disabled Scottish artists to understand their experiences with access and created an interactive scrapbook to share my findings in an accessible format. I continue this research, particularly focusing on how festivals and artist events can be more inclusive of disabled participants.

Email: clareandlesley@outlook.com